Shane van Gisbergen's Supercars career has ended with a whimper, forced to retire from the season-ending Adelaide 500's second race, while compatriot Matt Payne took his first victory racing in Australia.
In an almost poetic passing of the torch moment, Payne, 21, comfortably took the chequered flag to finish his first season in Supercars with Penrite Racing on a high.
To make things even sweeter for the Aucklander, victory also doubles as his first podium finish, since coming into Supercars.
Starting second on the grid, Payne overtook newly crowned champion Brodie Kostecki on the opening lap and never relented, belying his youth for his first win.
"It's so good, I've got no words," said Payne. "It's so awesome.
"I've got to thank the whole Penrite Racing crew. We've worked so hard to get to this point.
"It's been so good. Special thanks to the Groves, they've believed in me, when they first put me in Super 2.
"It's definitely paid off now."
While it was elation for Payne, van Gisbergen was denied the dream farewell he'd hoped for.
In his final race before a move to NASCAR, the former champion was denied the chance for one last win in Australia, as damage to his Camaro ended any chance of victory.
After pitting for the second time on the 46th lap, van Gisbergen returned just two laps later, with a wheel needing to be tightened.
As the three-time championship winner was in and out over the coming laps, the final stages of the race saw him withdrawn from the race and unable to finish on probably his last Supercars appearance.
The issue with van Gisbergen's car was potentially a result of his crash in the weekend's first race, as his team faced a quick turnaround to make the necessary repairs.
The crash ended his 2023 title hopes, leaving van Gisbergen unable to catch new champion Kostecki in the standings.
With the teams championship still within the reach of van Gisbergen, teammate Broc Feeney and Red Bull Ampol Racing, the Kiwi's failure to finish saw them finish second to Erebus Racing.
Van Gisbergen finishes in Supercars with 81 wins, fourth on the all-time list. Only Australians, Jamie Whincup (125), Craig Lowndes (110) and Mark Skaife (90) have taken the chequered flag more than van Gisbergen.
His 21 wins in the 2022 season was a Supercars record, bettering compatriot Scott McLaughlin's 19 victories from 2019.
